01-29-2008, 02:20 AM
After a several months of research and discussion, Donna Amico at PCA has finally approved a set of specifications for 968 Firehawk race cars. As many of you know, there has been a classification for Firehawk 968 cars for years, but no one could actually tell you what made it one. As people have begun to build cars to Firehawk spec, there was no way for scrutineers to consistently judge compliance. As it was, it really became a game of what could you slide by the scruits, and how hard nosed were they going to be on you.
The following document does not necessarily accurately represent the actual rules the cars ran under. Rather, they are based on interviews with builders and drivers, reverse engineering and observation of pedigreed 968 Firehawks. The intent is to bring consistency to the class, not necessarily historical accuracy. It became very plain that recreating the actual specs wouldn't happen. Too much time has past, and the information is long gone. We have been able to bring together a list of specifications that stay in its spirit, and still bring some clarification to an otherwise muddy topic.
Thanks especially to Pete at RS Barn for helping to collect and clean up this list.
John Watson, Jr.
PCA Specification for Firehawk 968 —FINAL—
The Firehawk series and cars actually ran under two different names (relevant to 968 cars) IMSA Firestone Firehawk Endurance Championship or commonly known as Firehawk Series, and the Speedvision Cup. These are the same series, and are only different in that the sponsorship by Firestone was dropped after the 1994 season. There was also a Canadian Firehawk series that was similar specifications, and cars would in some cases run both series. The total number of cars built for both countries is estimated to be on the order of 12-16 cars (about six-eight in each country) but exact numbers are not available.
Modifications Allowed on 968 Firehawk Cars Include:
• Custom re-mapped chips – specs vary by builder.
• Modified stock camshafts – specs vary by builder.
• M030 brake calipers and rotors option package
• Porsche Motorsport single mass flywheel at 18lbs
• Modified swaybars
• Removal of start key and housing, and the addition of a pushbutton start
• Removal of carpeting on floors and footwells
• Removal of cover in passenger footwell for access to computer boxes
• Removal of air conditioner, and heater core
• Removal of power steering pump
• Removal of windshield washer fluid reservoir, associated hoses and nozzles
• Removal of center console and items on the center hump
• Removal of the rear seat backs (though the seats remain)
• Removal of spare tire and associated items
• Removal of restrictor ring in fuel filler neck
• Adjustable fuel pressure regulator
• Headlights are not fully functional, though they are present. In some cases the lifting mechanism or other parts have been removed.
• Driver side door interior panel mostly or completely removed to accommodate NASCAR style rollbar that extends into the door. Passenger door panel may be extensively modified or removed.
• Hood latch removed with pins used to secure the hood
• Rear hatch opened with pull lanyard rather than key
• Exhaust and headers are usually custom or modified
• Front driving lights removed to duct for brakes on some cars
• Wiring for radiator fans altered to turn on with main power, or controlled by switch in cabin
• An ABS reset switch was put on some cars
• Use of a 944 rear hatch vs. a stock 968 hatch- (due to availability of 968 replacement parts)
• Occasional use of various other 944 parts- (due to availability of 968 replacement parts)
• Seats have been replaced with race seats
• Suspension – Coil over front & rear with rear helper spring
• Bullet tip NASCAR style wheel studs
Other Notes:
These were not factory built cars. All modifications will vary from builder to builder. Some modifications may be present, while others may not manifest on an individual vehicle. This is most notable in the variations of roll cages, mapped chips, cams, and interior build out.
Wheels ranged from stock 17” to three piece BBS type 16” wheels. Maximum size for 968 wheels are 18x10.5 rear, 18x9 front based on maximum stock size of 17x9.5 rear and 17x8 front per PET catalog.
Weight - as per PCA specifications 3050 with driver.
Classed as “F” per 2008 PCA Rules (formerly “E”)
’92 model year cars should verify that their rods have been changed from original factory. These have had issues and can disintegrate, destroying the engine. Later model years do not have this issue.
It has been found that front hubs have been braking under race conditions. These should be replaced with billet hubs at earliest convenience.
--Compiled by John Watson, Jr. (wonko@wonko.net) and Pete Fitzpatrick (RSBARNPETE@aol.com)
The following document does not necessarily accurately represent the actual rules the cars ran under. Rather, they are based on interviews with builders and drivers, reverse engineering and observation of pedigreed 968 Firehawks. The intent is to bring consistency to the class, not necessarily historical accuracy. It became very plain that recreating the actual specs wouldn't happen. Too much time has past, and the information is long gone. We have been able to bring together a list of specifications that stay in its spirit, and still bring some clarification to an otherwise muddy topic.
Thanks especially to Pete at RS Barn for helping to collect and clean up this list.
John Watson, Jr.
PCA Specification for Firehawk 968 —FINAL—
The Firehawk series and cars actually ran under two different names (relevant to 968 cars) IMSA Firestone Firehawk Endurance Championship or commonly known as Firehawk Series, and the Speedvision Cup. These are the same series, and are only different in that the sponsorship by Firestone was dropped after the 1994 season. There was also a Canadian Firehawk series that was similar specifications, and cars would in some cases run both series. The total number of cars built for both countries is estimated to be on the order of 12-16 cars (about six-eight in each country) but exact numbers are not available.
Modifications Allowed on 968 Firehawk Cars Include:
• Custom re-mapped chips – specs vary by builder.
• Modified stock camshafts – specs vary by builder.
• M030 brake calipers and rotors option package
• Porsche Motorsport single mass flywheel at 18lbs
• Modified swaybars
• Removal of start key and housing, and the addition of a pushbutton start
• Removal of carpeting on floors and footwells
• Removal of cover in passenger footwell for access to computer boxes
• Removal of air conditioner, and heater core
• Removal of power steering pump
• Removal of windshield washer fluid reservoir, associated hoses and nozzles
• Removal of center console and items on the center hump
• Removal of the rear seat backs (though the seats remain)
• Removal of spare tire and associated items
• Removal of restrictor ring in fuel filler neck
• Adjustable fuel pressure regulator
• Headlights are not fully functional, though they are present. In some cases the lifting mechanism or other parts have been removed.
• Driver side door interior panel mostly or completely removed to accommodate NASCAR style rollbar that extends into the door. Passenger door panel may be extensively modified or removed.
• Hood latch removed with pins used to secure the hood
• Rear hatch opened with pull lanyard rather than key
• Exhaust and headers are usually custom or modified
• Front driving lights removed to duct for brakes on some cars
• Wiring for radiator fans altered to turn on with main power, or controlled by switch in cabin
• An ABS reset switch was put on some cars
• Use of a 944 rear hatch vs. a stock 968 hatch- (due to availability of 968 replacement parts)
• Occasional use of various other 944 parts- (due to availability of 968 replacement parts)
• Seats have been replaced with race seats
• Suspension – Coil over front & rear with rear helper spring
• Bullet tip NASCAR style wheel studs
Other Notes:
These were not factory built cars. All modifications will vary from builder to builder. Some modifications may be present, while others may not manifest on an individual vehicle. This is most notable in the variations of roll cages, mapped chips, cams, and interior build out.
Wheels ranged from stock 17” to three piece BBS type 16” wheels. Maximum size for 968 wheels are 18x10.5 rear, 18x9 front based on maximum stock size of 17x9.5 rear and 17x8 front per PET catalog.
Weight - as per PCA specifications 3050 with driver.
Classed as “F” per 2008 PCA Rules (formerly “E”)
’92 model year cars should verify that their rods have been changed from original factory. These have had issues and can disintegrate, destroying the engine. Later model years do not have this issue.
It has been found that front hubs have been braking under race conditions. These should be replaced with billet hubs at earliest convenience.
--Compiled by John Watson, Jr. (wonko@wonko.net) and Pete Fitzpatrick (RSBARNPETE@aol.com)
